Wind Farm Mitigation

ENSURING SAFER SKIES WHILE PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

Raytheon UK can offer a wind farm mitigation solution that is able to eradicate the detrimental effect of wind turbines on air traffic control radar, providing improved safety for air travel while enabling future developments for sustainable wind energy.

The benefits of wind energy are clear, but the potential hazards that wind turbines can cause are less obvious — radar blind zones, missed detections and a high false alarm rate. Rotating turbine blades look like valid aircraft signals to the primary radars used by air traffic control, causing significant interference.

The technology enables wind farms to be located closer to radar facilities without any adverse impact on flying operations. By facilitating more efficient flight routes and increased renewable energy opportunities, Raytheon's solution is thus helping to lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Designed for both defence and civil aviation agencies, Raytheon's wind farm mitigation system has been delivered to multiple global customers. Trials and demonstrations have been conducted for UK National Air Traffic Services (NATS), the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Department of Defense. Most recently, Raytheon UK was contracted by the Dutch Ministry of Defence to upgrade its air traffic control radar system at the Royal Netherlands Air Force base at Woensdrecht. The technology enhancements include WiMax interference filtering (4g filtration).